SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2230        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 48

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Julian Cyr

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to cannabis use by first responders.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2230        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 48

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to cannabis use by first responders.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

The cannabis control commission, in consultation with the executive office of public safety and security, shall study and report on the barriers related to first responders and their legal right to use cannabis in the commonwealth. The commission shall research: (i) drug testing requirements for police officers and first responders; (ii) internal policies of local police departments and first responder agencies related to cannabis use; (iii) the authority of police chiefs as established under section 97A of chapter 41; (iv) the requirements of state and federal license to carry laws; (v) implications of the federal Controlled Substances Act and any other relevant federal laws; (vi) the efficacy of using cannabis for treating anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and other traumas; and (vi) laws, policies and practices regarding cannabis use by police officers and first responders in other states and jurisdictions; and (v) any other topics the commission deems relevant.

The commission and the executive office may consult experts, hold regular public meetings, fact-finding hearings, and other public forums as it considers necessary.

The commission shall submit the report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on cannabis policy, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery, the joint committee on public health, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, and the joint committee on the judiciary not later than December 31, 2024.